ALDE MEPs held important exchange of views today in the European Parliament in Brussels in the first of what will be many meeting of the new "ALDELAT" network.  ALDELAT was created to deepen and strengthen relations between the European Union and Latin America and to form a common agenda for Liberals including ALDE MEPs, Relial (Red Liberal de America Latina) and Liberal International.   ALDELAT adopted today a paper setting out their joint position on key areas such as economic integration, migration, democracy and environmental protection.

Renate Weber, MEP (PNL, Romania) welcomed the Latin American liberal colleagues to Brussels:

"The presence of our Latin American liberal colleagues here today is of an utmost importance for the development of our cooperation.  The paper issued under the umbrella of RELIAL (Red liberal de America Latina) constitutes our common liberal vision on the future of EU- Latin America relations and it will be presented to governments in countries in Latin America and to the European Commission.  We aim to influence their programs and projects in line with our liberal views.  I am convinced this is the beginning of a long and fruitful cooperation."

Hans van Baalen MEP (VLD, Netherlands), President of Liberal International, sees Latin America as vital partner European Union,  "ALDELAT with RELIAL should promote a liberal agenda for EU - Latin America free trade and economic co-operation. The EU example makes clear that Economic and Monetary Union makes it impossible to pursue only national interests. A common currency demands a cohesive financial and economic policy. The same will apply for Latin America if it decides to engage in the same integration process."

Notes to editors; The Liberal Network for Latin America (Red Liberal de América Latina, RELIAL) is an international network founded in and includes 45 liberal institutions from 16 Latin American countries. Members of RELIAL include political parties as well as think tanks, foundations and research institutes.